Alaska Airlines is adding Philippine Airlines as a mileage-earning and redemption partner, and I see this as a bigger deal than you might imagine. I love the way Alaska aggressively adds partnerships beyond the oneworld alliance.
This is a big win because while the airline won’t rate among the world’s best business classes, it opens up a new way to reach numerous destinations on points where there aren’t already larges swaths of members competing for the seats.
Credit: Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines flights from New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu as well as Toronto and Vancouver to Manila, and beyond to destinations in China, Australia, and Southeast Asia. They’re also a reasonable connecting option for members originating in Europe.
Flights between the U.S. mainland and Manila should cost 75,000 (Seattle) – 85,000 (Los Angeles, New York etc) miles each way in business class under Alaska’s distance-based award chart.
American Airlines already codeshares with Philippine Airlines. United, which just announced a second Manila flight, has fought U.S. airlines partnering with them because of how difficult the Phillipine government makes it to get desirable takeoff and landing slots in Manila.
Business class, credit: Philippine Airlines
Historically Philippine Airlines long haul business class was always available. Whenever there was nothing between the U.S. and Asia, you could always redeem ANA Mileage Club points (transferred from American Express) for these flights. Unfortunately ANA suspended these redemptions. I thought it might be American that partnered more closely, but it turns out to be Alaska that opens them back up!
Brilliant! Go Alaska!
Interesting. Perhaps, they saw United starting that SFO-MNL route, and wanted to get in on the action. There are occasionally good cash-rates on PR to East Asia, but I’ve never dared. Visited the Philippines recently and preferred ANA’s ‘The Room’ on JFK-HND; worth the stop to get there. PR does fly JFK-MNL as well, nearly 17 hours. Immigration at MNL is not fun. The traffic is insane, too. Adobo was alright. I’d go back for the lechón, hands-down. Yum.
Awards on Philippine Airlines reminds me of this…going to date myself here:
-A bit of a time capsule data point. Back in 1992 I cashed in 300,000 TWA points for 2 First Class tickets around the world (300K total for 2 pax) on TWA and Philippine Airlines. We flew: JFK-VIE/FRA-MNL-HKG-MNL-HNL-LAX-JFK in 36 days.
Back then PR had First class on MNL-HNL-LAX with first class seating in the 747 in the nose along with bunk beds on the upper deck for after dinner to sleep in on the way across the Pacific.
How are international to international connections in Manila? Nightmare or ok?
@derek — Depends. Same ticket/airline/terminal, probably ok. If anything is different, or you have to ‘enter’ the Philippines for your onward journey, I’d say, good luck with that… Also, there is risk of volcano, earthquake, tsunami, and typhoon (June-November). They got it all! You’ll be fine… *wink*
Paying the same for a flight on PR with a connection in MNL as on CX/JL/JX? No, thank you.
I’ve stayed away from flying on Philippine Airlines because of a lot of negative reports even though it is sometimes quite a bit cheaper for trips to Southeast Asia. I am interested in other people’s experiences Philippine Airlines.
PR soft product very good. Flight crew are polite and meals are flavorful. However, the 2-3-2 business class configuration on the 777s are not appealing.
Avoid connecting at NAIA that requires a terminal change. PR takes you by shuttle bus on terminal transfers and are subject to suffocating traffic depending on the time of day. If you can’t avoid a terminal transfer, allow at least 4 hours connecting time.
I prefer flying into Terminal 3 where I can walk 5-8 minutes to many hotels in the Newport area via the pedestrian overpass.
@reyl — Good advice. Had an overnight layover in January and stayed at the Conrad nearby (China Blue restaurant there was decent). Lot of construction in that area, too. Manila is… wild.
@derek – I agree but want to clarify. I think you need to enter the Philippines regardless of your destination. But even if you have to enter the country, staying in the same terminal is key. If you are within Terminal 3, it is pretty easy, but you still might have a considerable line for immigration. Same thing if you are within Terminal 1, but I find T1 check-in is not quick and easy.
@reyl – Seven across business class? Hard pass.
@1990 – Never been yet myself but I recall watching Anthony Bourdain (love the guy, a terrible loss) visit Manila around Xmas and there were truly torrential rains and flooding. That leads me to question when the dry season is.
Since 2023, all PAL international flights are going from T1 and domestic from T2, with a transfer service. The terminals are next to each other and they are planning a walkway, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for that. If you have an APEC card, immigration and security only take a few minutes.
PAL business class has better service than US carriers, comparable food, 2-3-2 seating is bad, entertainment so-so.
I’d actually recommend a stop-over, Manila is much better than it’s reputation, the “new it-area” BGC is cleaner and safer than any big US city, 15-30min from airport, nice hotels, walkable (!) and plenty to do/see for 1-2 days.